Potential franchise quarterback? Check.

Solid defense? Check.

Plenty of resources in the draft and free agency? Check and check.

I've picked a sleeper team nearly every year since joining ESPN.com's blog network. This season's under-the-radar pick is the 2013 Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins were 7-9 last season and appear poised to take the next step. Enough good things already are in place to persuade me that Miami will be a threat to make the playoffs next season.

My track record for picking sleepers is pretty good. In 2008, I picked the "sleeper" Baltimore Ravens, who drafted a lesser-known quarterback named Joe Flacco and advanced to the AFC title game. In 2009, I picked the Cincinnati Bengals, who surprised many with an emotional run to the playoffs.

I didn’t see a sleeper in my former division in 2010 or 2011, so I took those years off. I resumed my sleeper picks in 2012 by going out on a limb with the Buffalo Bills, which was a mistake. (Remind me not to pick the Bills again until they prove something and end the NFL’s longest playoff drought.)

But I really like what is going on in Miami, which laid the foundation last season. The Dolphins are the biggest threat in the AFC East to the perennial dominance of the New England Patriots.

Super Bowl

How about a playoff win.....or just a playoff appearance?

Brady just inked a deal to play for relative peanuts. The Pats aren't done yet.....sadly.

Dolphins P Brandon Fields is the only veteran player the team has under contract through 2015.
They do have seven rookies signed through 2015, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Cameron Wake could also be back if the Dolphins picked up his option. But the Dolphins have held off on committing to veterans for the long term, and subsequently have a ton of roster flexibility this year and in the future. Miami has $45 million in salary cap space this offseason. Spend wisely, Jeff Ireland.